Virginia Madsen of ‘Joy’ spreads cheer at Children’s Action Network’s holiday fundraiser
Actress Virginia Madsen shows off the wreath she and Todd Reed created to benefit the Children’s Action Network.
The event: Supporters of Children’s Action Network had their pick of designer holiday wreaths on Wednesday at Winter Wonderful, a fundraiser at a private residence in Holmby Hills with proceeds going toward finding permanent homes for children in foster care.
The scene: Guests sampled hors d’oeuvres while marveling at the unique wreaths set atop easels encircling the backyard. Created by artists, designers, florists and jewelers, the wreaths were fabricated of materials including traditional pine cones, ribbons and Christmas ornaments as well as edgier paper, flowers, paintings, jewels, seashells and assortments of found objects, as in artist Bob Zoell’s playful creation made of trolls, unicorns, witches, ponies, dragons and other toys.
Actress Virginia Madsen of “Joy” collaborated with jewelry designer Todd Reed, who fashioned a wreath of tiny doves circling before taking off skyward. “The doves symbolize peace,” said Madsen. “I thought, ‘What could be a better theme than world peace?’”
The wreaths were available to the highest bidder with more designs coming from Cartier, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Empty Vase, Kirk Nix, Tissy Eggleston, Grace Home Furnishings, Fruzsina Keehn, Simon Ouwerkerk, David Phoenix, Timothy Tompkins, Dan Zelen, Cabana Home and others.
The crowd: Committee members included, among others, Kendra and Christopher Bollenbach, Donna and Steve Antebi, Homeira and Arnold Goldstein, Shelley Reed, Dawn Moore, Julia Johnson, Pat Kandel, Mia Trudeau and Rex Sherry.
The numbers: More than 200 tickets sold at $200 and up, with sponsorships up to $10,000. Proceeds from ticket and wreath sales were near $100,000.
Quote of note: “This is such a wonderful cause,” said philanthropy consultant Scott Stover of Global Art Development, who hosted the event, along with Philippe Cottet. “How could your heart not go out to these children?”
Ellen Olivier is the founder of SocietyNewsLA.
